Lacrosse (NCAA Men) vs Lacrosse Sixes — Same Game, Different Rules

NCAA men's lacrosse uses three stick length classifications, defined as total length including the head: Solid rubber, white, yellow, orange, or lime green (officials' selection); Circumference: 7¾ to 8 inches; Weight: 5 to 5¼ ounces

Stick (crosse): 40-46" (102-117 cm) for field players (unified men's / women's stick), max 72" for goalie; Ball: standard lacrosse ball (140-149 g, ~6.3 cm diameter), white preferred; Helmet: required for all players (men's-style helmet with full face mask)

The center of the midfield line is the faceoff spot ("X"), where every faceoff is taken — at the start of each quarter, after each goal, and after specified violations.

Field: 70 m × 36 m (~76 × 39 yards) — substantially smaller than traditional men's lacrosse (110 × 60 m) or women's (100 × 55 m); Goal: 1.83 m × 1.83 m (6 ft × 6 ft) — same as field lacrosse; Crease: 2.75 m radius circle around each goal

Each team fields 10 players at any time: 1 goalkeeper, 3 defensemen, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackmen. The team must have at least 3 players in the offensive half and 4 in the defensive half (including the goalkeeper) at all times except during specified transitions and after a faceoff.

6 per side: 5 field players + 1 goalkeeper; Roster: 12 players per game (6 on field, 6 substitutes); unlimited substitutions on-the-fly; Officials: 3-person crew (referee + 2 umpires) at international/Olympic level

The faceoff is taken at the center "X" at the start of each quarter and after each goal. The two faceoff midfielders (FOGOs in modern practice) line up on their offensive side of the midfield line; their sticks rest on the ground parallel to the l...

4 quarters × 8 minutes running time (35 minutes total including breaks); 2-minute breaks between quarters; 5-minute halftime; OT: golden goal sudden-death (4-minute periods)

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. , goal in time, crease violation, attacking player position).

1 goal = 1 point (ball fully crosses goal line, in-bounds, scored from outside crease); Total game goals decides winner; OT: golden-goal sudden-death

Technical fouls are infringements that do not warrant time in the penalty box.

Personal foul (slashing, illegal body check, cross-check, etc.): 30-second timed penalty (player serves in penalty box; team plays short); Technical foul (interference, illegal screen, hold, etc.): change-of-possession or 30-second penalty; Crease violation: turnover

NCAA men's lacrosse mandates NOCSAE-approved helmets and mouthpieces, properly fitted shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and a protective cup; goalkeepers additionally wear a NOCSAE-approved throat protector and chest protector. Helmets must remain ...

Lacrosse Sixes is designed with reduced-contact rules vs men's field lacrosse — stick checks remain but body checks are heavily restricted. Mandatory helmet + mouthguard + full pad suite.